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Coach Hire Cork

Cork works best as a base with short spokes. Blarney, Cobh, Midleton and Kinsale all sit within about half an hour of the city, so one coach can fit two of them into a day without rushing.

Cork Harbour: Cobh, Spike Island and Fota

Cobh is about 24 km east of the city, 25 to 30 minutes by road. Groups come for the Titanic Experience Cobh and the harbour front, and cruise ships berth there too. Spike Island, the old fortress in the harbour, is reached by ferry from Cobh, so the coach stays on the quay side. Agree a collection time that allows for the ferry back.

Fota Wildlife Park, on Fota Island, fits into the same harbour day. Hotels at Little Island and Fota put a group close to both.

Setra high-capacity coach, exterior
Setra high-capacity coach, exterior

Blarney, Midleton and Kinsale

Blarney Castle and Gardens, home of the Blarney Stone, is about 10 km north-west, roughly 20 minutes away. The Jameson Distillery in Midleton, about 25 minutes east, runs whiskey tours. Kinsale is about 30 minutes south. Any two of these make a comfortable day with the evening back in the city.

Airports serving Cork

Stadiums and grounds

  • SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh — Cork GAA hurling and football, concerts
  • Virgin Media Park (Musgrave Park) — Munster Rugby in Cork
  • Turner's Cross — Cork City FC
  • Cork Opera House — Theatre, opera and concerts

Day trips from Cork

  • Blarney — about 10 km, about 20 min
  • Midleton — about 22 km, about 25 min
  • Cobh — about 24 km, about 25-30 min
  • Kinsale — about 25 km, about 30 min
  • Killarney — about 90 km, about 1.5 h
  • Rock of Cashel — about 100 km, about 1.25 h

Coach rules and practicalities in Cork

  • Cork Airport is about 8 km south of the city centre, about 15-30 min by road.
  • Cruise ships berth at Cobh, about 24 km east of the city by road.
  • The Dublin-Cork motorway route passes two toll points: M7/M8 Portlaoise-Cullahill and the N8/M8 Rathcormac-Fermoy bypass.

Stadiums, theatre and match-day pick-ups

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Ballintemple hosts Cork GAA hurling and football and big concerts, and it has about 1,500 sq m of conference space. Munster Rugby plays its Cork games at Virgin Media Park, which many people still call Musgrave Park. Cork City FC are at Turner's Cross, and the Cork Opera House stages opera, theatre and concerts.

On a big day, agree a pick-up point a short walk from the ground and a fixed departure time. Crowds leave together, and a coach cannot circle while it waits.

Arriving in Cork and going further

Cork Airport is about 8 km south of the centre, 15 to 20 minutes by road. Groups coming by road from Dublin pass two toll points: the M7/M8 Portlaoise-Cullahill plaza and the N8/M8 Rathcormac-Fermoy bypass. Longer excursions work well too: Killarney is about 1.5 hours and the Rock of Cashel about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Hotels are spread between St Patrick's Street, MacCurtain Street by the railway station, Douglas and Blackrock or Mahon. If your group is split across them, send every address so the morning pick-up order can be planned.

Questions

Can the coach take us across to Spike Island?

No. The island is reached by ferry from Cobh. The coach drops you for the crossing and meets you when you return.

How long is the Cork Airport transfer?

About 8 km, usually 15 to 20 minutes into the city centre.

Is Blarney a half-day trip?

It can be. The castle is about 20 minutes from the city, which leaves plenty of time for the gardens.

Which tolls apply on the drive down from Dublin?

Two: Portlaoise-Cullahill on the M7/M8 and the Rathcormac-Fermoy bypass on the N8/M8.

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